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SOU asks for funds to expand theater building By Bill Choy,Ashland Daily Tidings May 12, 2004 12:00 AM A A Saying that space is at a premium in the Theatre Arts — Building at Southern Oregon University would be quite an understatement. — When the facility first opened in 1982, it was designed — to house 60 theater majors. This spring, there are 180 students who are — either pre-majoring or majoring in theater arts, down from 210 in the — fall, said Theatre Department Chairman Chris Sackett, an associate professor. — "We make it work to the best of our abilities," he said. — The administration hopes it can get funds from the state — for the needed expansion of the building, along with expansion plans for — the science building and SOU's Medford campus. — At Eastern Oregon University, SOU President Elisabeth — Zinser presented the school's proposals to the State Board of Higher Education — for three capital construction projects totaling $16 million, which the — university hopes to begin between 2005 and 2007. Approximately $7.4 million — would be from general funds, $5.3 million in bonds and $3.3 million in — grants, gifts and property sales. This includes a $4.2 million Theatre — Arts Building project that would add 6,000 square feet and remodel 8,000 — square feet. The Board of Higher Education will look at the capital improvement — requests of all the higher education institutions in the state and make — a decision on who will receive a high priority for funding in July. — But for now, students in theater arts will have to make — do with what they have. — — Cramped quarters — The need for space is such a commodity in the theater — building that many classes and rehearsals are held in hallways or on the — stairwells, the lobby, and even locker rooms - anywhere that there's available — room to meet. — "It can get a little ridiculous," said April Lowe, 22, — an SOU senior majoring in theater with an emphasis on performance. "We — have people rehearsing on the roof of the building and in the lobby area, — and you have to sign up for these spaces in advance. It's a dog fight — to get them. You got these determined students with all this energy who — want to put in the time, but there's no space." — But it makes Lowe and her fellow majors share a common — cause, a place to rehearse. — "We know what each other is going through," she said. — "It bonds us closer together." — To Craig Jessen, 21, a junior theater arts major, trying — to coordinate rehearsals and classes can be a performance in itself. — "It's like a well choreographed ballet sometimes and a — train wreck the other times," he said. "We try to make the best of it." — Because space is at a premium, many students have little — choice but to rehearse as late as midnight, he said. — "I think the department is doing the best it can, but — the dance can be done for only so long," Jessen said. "It's a wonderful — department, and we are so enthusiastic to be here and do good work. So — it's a reality, and we deal with it and work with what we have." — — High demand — It wasn't always this way, Sackett said. — Enrollment was steady but not overwhelming until a boom — in majors started to occur in 2000. — "The word started to get out that we had a very strong — program here and you get good training," he said. "It hasn't been an active — recruitment situation, it's been word of mouth." — Positive attributes include a partnership with the Oregon — Shakespeare Festival, more individual attention and opportunities to be — in productions for undergraduates, and that SOU is the university system's — designated center of excellence in fine and performing arts. The department — also will be featured in an article in June's issue of Stage Directions — magazine. — For the most part, students are patient and understand — the department is doing the best it can with the space given, Sackett — said, although there have been a few who have said it's too crowded and — have dropped out of the program. — Sackett is hopeful the expansion will become a reality. — "It will make the current situation tenable and we will — be able to better serve the number of students we have," he said. — — Science and Medford campus expansions — SOU is also hopeful to get funding for the two other capital — projects, said Ron Bolstad, vice president for administration and finance. — — The school is seeking $4 million in planning money for — a 92,000-square-foot addition and 82,000-square-foot expansion of the — SOU Science Building. The university hopes to begin construction on the — $36 million project in 2007, Bolstad said. — "It's the largest project we're pursuing in terms of scope — and cost," he said. "We need to modernize our current facilities both — in terms of building infrastructure and institutional office space." — The original building was constructed in 1959, with the — addition in 1967. The older portion doesn't even have air conditioning, — which makes it quite hot to work in during the summer, Bolstad said. — The third project is a 30,000-square-foot building in — downtown Medford, which would house SOU's Medford campus, and be located — on Rogue Community College property. The facility is tentatively scheduled — to be built on South Riverside Avenue, although that could change, Bolstad — said. The cost is estimated at $7.8 million — It would replace an outdated facility in Medford and consolidate — the classroom spaces that are leased by SOU outside of Ashland. This includes — rooms at the Rogue Valley Mall, Crater High School in Central Point and — South and North Medford High Schools and at RCC. — Bolstad hopes the project would begin the design phase — in 2006, with construction in 2007. — At Friday's board meeting, the response was positive to — all three projects, he said. — "The board was very receptive," Bolstad said. "I think — we have an excellent opportunity for these projects to be designated a — high priority."